Venezuela’s Rodriguez Promises Elections at UN
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez has pledged that the country will hold elections as part of a transition towards what she described as “full democracy”, though she did not announce a date for the vote. The commitment came during her address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Rodriguez Promises Elections in Venezuela
Rodriguez said Venezuela had begun political dialogue with opposition groups and promised that all political forces would be allowed to participate in the eventual electoral process.
She said national institutions would be prepared to guarantee an inclusive and transparent vote but indicated that Venezuelans would determine when conditions were appropriate for elections to proceed.
No timetable was announced for either presidential or broader national elections.
Venezuela Opens Dialogue With Opposition
The election pledge comes as Rodriguez attempts to stabilise Venezuela following the dramatic political changes earlier this year.
She became interim president after former President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces during a January operation and taken to the United States to face criminal charges. Rodriguez has since pursued renewed diplomatic and economic engagement with Washington.
Trump Administration Pushes for Free Elections
Rodriguez met US President Donald Trump during her New York visit, with political reforms, economic recovery and bilateral relations among the issues under discussion.
US officials have continued to call for free and fair elections as part of Venezuela’s political transition, while Rodriguez has emphasised dialogue and a gradual rebuilding of the country’s institutions.
